First quarter
Northern Illinois shows why it boasts the best defense in the Mid-American Conference, forcing Ball State to punt on 4th and 11.
On its first drive of the game, Northern Illinois drives 55 yards, converting on four third downs, including a 4-yard shovel pass to redshirt senior Shane Wimann, putting Northern Illinois up 7-0 early on.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Drew Plitt drove the ball down field for Ball State, finding freshman Justin Hall and Khalil Newton on a pair of passes. The drive was capitalized by redshirt sophomore wide receiver Riley Miller who brought in his first career touchdown pass on a 23-yard pass over the middle of the field.
Northern Illinois drives 80-yards down the field with big plays coming from Childers, who ran for 32-yards for a first down, and redshirt senior running back Jordan Huff, who avoided a tackle en route to a 24-yard receiving touchdown. Northern Illinois goes up 14-7 late in the first quarter.
After failing to convert on third and long, Ball State attempts to punt, but Northern Illinois blocks it, and redshirt senior safety Jackson Abresch returns it for a touchdown.
Plitt is sacked on the final play of the quarter, Ball State starts the second quarter with on 2nd and 18.
Second quarter
After moving the ball 14 yards, Ball State is forced to punt, giving Northern Illinois the ball at its own 39-yard line.
A pair of dropped interceptions and a roughing the passer call on redshirt senior defensive lineman Anthony Winbush gives Northern Illinois decent field position. The drive is finished off by junior wide receiver D.J. Brown who ran the ball in for a 6-yard touchdown, putting Northern Illinois up 28-7.
A run for a loss, dropped pass downfield from Newton and sack forces Ball State to punt. Northern Illinois starts its next drive on Ball State's 41-yard line.
In 1:09, Northern Illinois drives down the field, finishing a 3-play, 41-yard drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Childers to sophomore tight end Mitchell Brinkman.
A pair of runs from freshman Caleb Huntley give Ball State a first down, but the Cardinals are forced to punt once again.
Ball State stops Northern Illinois on third down following a 7-yard sack from redshirt sophomore linebacker Jacob White. The Cardinals starts their drive on the 8-yard line.
Plitt is sacked on third down and Northern Illinois utilizes all three of its timeouts on the drive. Northern Illinois starts with the ball on Ball State's 35-yard line.
Ball State's defense stops Northern Illinois on fourth down, giving Plitt the ball with 1:24 remaining in the half.
Northern Illinois redshirt sophomore defensive end Sutton Smith sets a single season school record for tackles for loss after a 6-yard sack on Plitt.
Third quarter
Ball State's defense holds strong, stopping Northern Illinois for a third consecutive drive.
Redshirt senior quarterback Jack Milas enters the game and drives Ball State down field for a 89-yard drive resulting in a 4-yard touchdown run from sophomore running back Malik Dunner.
Northern Illinois scores its first touchdown since 8:02 in the second quarter on a 19-yard touchdown from Childers to senior wide receiver Christian Blake. The touchdown puts Northern Illinois up 42-14 with 5:20 remaining in the third quarter.
A triple revers that goes back to Milas is picked off by Northern Illinois and after two laterals, the Huskies are pushed out at the 35-yard line. The next play, Huff finds the end zone nearly untouched, giving Northern Illinois a 49-14 lead.
After a rushing first down, Ball State is forced to punt, but junior Morgan Hagee's kick goes for 59-yards where it is downed at Northern Illinois' 7-yard line.
Freshman linebacker forces a fumble on second down, recovered by freshman safety Bryce Cosby, giving the Cardinals the ball at the six-yard line.
Ball State gains just two-yards in three plays, but Hagee's 21-yard field goal cuts down Northern Illinois' lead to 49-17.
Fourth quarter
Ball State opens the half stopping Northern Illinois, retaining possession at the 33-yard line following the punt.
After Ball State was unsuccessful on its drive, Northern Illinois retained possession, scoring on a 70-yard touchdown pass to redshirt junior wide receiver Jauan Wesley. Northern Illinois extends its lead to 56-17.
Three-and-outs for both teams gave Ball State the ball at the 11-yard line with 6:27 to go in the game.
Northern Illinois blocks yet another punt, scoring another defensive touchdown for Abresch. The Huskies extend its lead to 63-17 with 4:18 remaining in the game.
Ball State drives down field, but is unable to score, as the clock runs down on the final possession of the game.
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